The briquette premium in the United States narrowed upward in the week ended Tuesday February 12 while the cut cathode equivalent was stable due to steady demand from the steel sector.
Elsewhere, a lack of demand in a static European nickel market was putting downward pressure on the uncut cathode premium in the region while the nickel full-plate premium in China was unchanged in low-liquidity trading, with some participants taking prolonged holidays following the country's break for Lunar New Year (February 4-10). US briquette premium improves again; cut cathode premium firm on steady demandEuropean uncut nickel cathode premium down due to weak demand in illiquid marketChinese nickel premium unchanged amid holiday lull US briquette premium strengthens, 4x4 equivalent stays firm The US nickel briquette premium again narrowed upward this past week after several sales were reported at premiums of 27 cents per lb or more. The premium for cut cathode maintained a steady footing on firm underlying demand and backlogs at cathode-cutting operations in Europe.But spot trading was quiet - some buyers were on the sidelines for...